Properties: Sweet, slightly cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver and Pericardium
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Extinguishes Wind and alleviates spasms
Liver Heat Transforming into Wind with tremors, seizures and eclampsia
- Drains Liver Heat and pacifies Liver Yang
Liver Fire and Liver Yang Rising with headache, irritability, red eyes and dizziness
Recently used for hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Releases the Exterior
Exterior Wind-Heat with fever, headache and red eyes
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-12g in decoction as standard dose but can be up to 30g. Do not decoct for more than 10 minutes.
Notable Constituents:
- Melatonin
A hormone with powerful sleep regulatory, antioxidant and immunoregulatory properties. It is mainly found in animals but Chen et al (2003) found it in 2,460 ng/g in this herb, the highest of any herb. This may go some way to explaining its anti-convulsive indications.
Notes:
In western herbalism Uncaria tomentosa or guianensis is more often used with the intention of boosting the immune system, especially in cases of inflammation, dysentery, wounds, digestive issues, and stomach ulcers, as well as assist with arthritis of both osteo and rheumatic types.
Appears in 17 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang (Ass-Hide Gelatin and Egg Yolk Decoction)
From: Popular Guide to the Discussion of Cold Damage (Qing Dynasty)
Geng Nian An Wan (Peaceful Menopause Pills)
From: Aura Herbs (2020)
Gou Teng San (Uncaria Powder)
From: Formulas of Universal Benefit from My Practice (1132) by Xu Shu-Wei
Gou Teng Yin (Uncaria Decoction)
From: Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition by Wu Qian (1742)
Hui Chun Dan (Special Pill to Restore Life)
From: Medicinal Teachings from the Respectfully Decorated Hall (late 18th Century)
Huo Yu Fu Sui Tang (Stasis Quickening Successful Recovery Decoction)
From: Ten Lectures on the Use of Formulas from the Personal Experience of Jiao Shu-De by Jiao Shu-De (2005)
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang (Antelope Horn and Uncaria Deocction)
From: Revised Popular Guide to the Discussion of Cold Damage by Yu Gen-Chu, Revised by He Bing-Yuan (Qing dynasty)
Qi Wu Jiang Xia Tang (Seven Substance Decoction for Directing Downward)
From: Practice of Syndrome Treatment in Kampo (1963) by Otsuka Keisetsu
San Hua Fu Sui Tang (Three Transformations Successful Recovery Decoction)
From: Ten Lectures on the Use of Formulas from the Personal Experience of Jiao Shu-De by Jiao Shu-De (2005)
Sheng Tie Luo Yin (Iron Filings Drink)
From: Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies by Cheng Guo-Peng (1732)
Shu Jin Huo Xue Tang (Relax Muscle and Invigorate Blood Lotion)
From: Traumatology and Orthopedics in Traditional Chinese Medicine (2002)
Te Xiao An Mian Pian (Peaceful Sleep Tablets)
From: Aura Herbs (2020)
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin (Gastrodia and Uncaria Drink)
From: Deriving New Treatments for Patterns of Miscellaneous Disorders in Chinese Internal Medicine (1958)
Yi Gan San (Restrain the Liver Powder)
From: Synopsis for Protecting Infants (1555)
Yi Gan San Jia Chen Pi Ban Xia (Restrain the Liver Powder with Orange Peel and Pinellia)
From: Unknown, common modification of Yi Gan San used in Japan.
Zhen Gan Fu Sui Tang (Liver Settling Successful Recovery Decoction)
From: Ten Lectures on the Use of Formulas from the Personal Experience of Jiao Shu-De by Jiao Shu-De (2005)
Zheng Yan Tang (Face-Righting Decoction)
From: Ten Lectures on the Use of Formulas from the Personal Experience of Jiao Shu-De by Jiao Shu-De (2005)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, has been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
